Which is better on a 5 mode flashlight?

[Hot Brass]

Hi: I have just started collecting flashlights and I have a couple that have the 5 mode switching. One goes from low,med to high,strobe,SOS and the other goes from high,med,low,strobe,SOS.
I prefer the light that starts off on low and progresses to high,rather than starting on high and going to low.
Would you buy or not buy a flashlight based on the arrangement of it's mode switching (low to med,to high,or high to med,to low? What's more practical? ( I would think starting on low??) Thanks,Hot Brass

[Lou Minescence]

It really depends on your preference and how you will use the light. At work I want my light to come on in high mode. At home I prefer my light to come on in low. My favorite interface is the control ring. Select what you want before you turn on the light.

[LEDninja]

I try to avoid flashlights that cycle through strobe and SOS when changing modes.

Selectable is my usual preference. Tighten bezel for high, loosen bezel for low. Some Fenix, Quark tactical.
Mid - Lo - Hi provided the Mid is correctly set for my most used mode (indoors between 20 and 90 lumens). Some Fenix.
Lo - med - hi is my preference between Lo - Med - Hi and Hi - Med - Lo. I do not go outdoors much. People who live in the countryside may think differently.

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Eagletac D25 clickys and Quark Tactical or rotary ring for me

[Hot Brass]

Looking back and thinking about it,I would rather have just a light that has maybe just two modes,low and high,or at least a separate button press for the strobe and SOS mode,which I have in my Fenix TK-41.
Too many lights available,so I have to stay off of these 'light" forums!! It's like my other hobby, audio equipment...I hear something better and I have to have it...if it's within reason,dollar-wise.
I started here with a bunch of other "garbage" lights,my other "semi real" light is a 6D mag-lite with Terralux led bulb and I now have three "real" lights,plus two separate chargers for NIMH and 18650's....gotta stay away!! Hot Brass

[ScaryFatKidGT]

Looking back and thinking about it,I would rather have just a light that has maybe just two modes,low and high,or at least a separate button press for the strobe and SOS mode,which I have in my Fenix TK-41.
Too many lights available,so I have to stay off of these 'light" forums!! It's like my other hobby, audio equipment...I hear something better and I have to have it...if it's within reason,dollar-wise.
I started here with a bunch of other "garbage" lights,my other "semi real" light is a 6D mag-lite with Terralux led bulb and I now have three "real" lights,plus two separate chargers for NIMH and 18650's....gotta stay away!! Hot Brass

Jetbeam B series lights or the already mentioned Quark Tacticals are awesome.

High end audio is way! more expensive hahah

[Flying Turtle]

Give me low to high with last mode memory, and I will avoid lights that won't start on low (preferably very low). Check out the Zebralights for a great alternative to the usual clicks or twists.

Geoff

[inspirit]

I prefer Fenix tk35, with two switches, one for power control, the other for mode switching.To depress the power switch lightly can activate the flashlight (unless press, it will remain off).Press it fully to turn on the light and lock it. Another fully depress can turn it off.A single press on the mode switch allows switching between Turbo→Low→Mid→High→brightness levels;Press and hold the mode switch for about one second to enter into Strobe mode.Press and hold the mode switch for about three seconds to enter into SOS mode.
While in Strobe or SOS mode, a single press on the mode switch returns you to the non-flashing mode.
TK35 memorizes the brightness level while in the general mode. When turned off and then on, the flashlight automatically enters the general (non-flashing) mode.

[HotWire]

I prefer low medium high around the house. Memory is a must! If you use your light in a tactical sense most people want High medium low--or high only. A backup flashlight can provide the low. I just made my "tactical" run around the back yard looking for black widow spiders. Bright incandescent light. As soon as I got in the house I used my old digital L-1 SureFire (on low) to guide me.